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Grandad gets the message

MALCOLM Grant was not that much older than his eldest grandson when World War II started in 1939.

And his three grandsons will be joining him in today's Anzac Day parade in Hobart.

"I was only 14 when the war started, so I only entered the war when I turned 18, in the middle of the war," said Mr Grant, 84, of Mt Stuart.

"I was a telegraphist in the navy and served on two different ships sending and receiving morse code.

"Of course, we spent a lot of time receiving messages but not a lot of time broadcasting because sending a signal would give away your position."

Mr Grant served in the waters between Darwin and New Guinea and considers himself fortunate to have seen very little in the way of combat action.

Grandsons Felix, 11, Gus, 9, and William, 7, have all marched on Anzac Day before, carrying banners with Goulburn St Primary School.

And while Felix will march with the school group again this year, bearing the Light Horse Regiment banner, Gus and William will march alongside their grandfather.

Mr Grant said it was wonderful that so many young people took an active interest in Anzac Day each year and was proud to know his grandchildren would be at his side today.

"They are the future of the country and I think it's important that they are part of what has become Australia's national day," he said.

Felix said he was excited to be marching and it was an important day to recognise.

"It's for all the people who served and tried to make our world a better place," he said.

The RSL is expecting record numbers of Tasmanians to attend services and parades for this year's Anzac Day.

More than 3000 are expected to attend Hobart's dawn service and more than 6000 will watch the march through city streets.

Tim Martain, The Mercury, Tasmania